Park West Catches a Break

Park West Gallery, the firm that has come under fire for its cruise ship auctions, was on the right side of a judge this week. US District Judge Lawrence Zatkoff issued an opinion against Teri Franks and her Fine Art Registry who had been the subject of Park West’s defamation suit but a jury had awarded Franks $500,000:

Zatkoff said Franks and her lawyers, Donald Payton and Jonathan Schwartz of Farmington Hills, repeatedly violated his orders during a 5 1/2 -week trial this spring by mentioning a supposed federal probe, critical newspaper articles and lawsuits by disgruntled customers.

His decision thrilled Park West founder Albert Scaglione and his lawyers, Rodger Young and Jaye Quadrozzi of Southfield.

“We felt it was an egregious case of misconduct on the part of the defendants and the defendant’s lawyers. We are delighted the court has agreed with us and look forward to a new trial,” Young said, adding that he’s confident of winning the case on retrial.